How to book an HVAC service if there's no recent record
If you can't find a service record from the past 12 months, book a professional HVAC service visit for the system you'll use next: heating in fall, cooling in spring. A basic visit costs about $75 to $250 and gives you a baseline record of the equipment's age, condition and filter size.
What an HVAC service visit should cover
A first visit to a home you just bought has two jobs: the normal tune-up, and a baseline record of equipment that nobody has explained to you yet. ENERGY STAR's checklist is a good yardstick. On any system, the technician should:
- Tighten electrical connections and measure motor voltage and current
- Lubricate moving parts
- Check the condensate drain on the AC, furnace or heat pump
- Run the controls and startup cycle to confirm the system starts, runs and shuts off safely
- Review your thermostat settings
A cooling visit adds coil cleaning, a refrigerant check and blower adjustment. A heating visit adds gas or oil connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and the heat exchanger. ENERGY STAR recommends one of each per year, so a house with both systems needs two visits.
If a CO alarm sounds or you smell gas, don't wait for the appointment. Get outside and call 911 or the fire department.
HVAC service cost for a new home
| Service | About what it costs | What's usually in it |
|---|---|---|
| Basic tune-up or annual maintenance | $75 to $250 | Filter change, visual inspection, basic cleaning |
| Central AC tune-up | $85 to $200 | Coils, drain, electrical parts, refrigerant check |
| Service call with diagnostics | $90 to $450 | Testing and a performance check |
| Comprehensive service | $150 to $400 | Cleaning and calibration |
| Refrigerant recharge (add-on) | $200 to $500 | Billed on top of a tune-up |
These are 2026 national estimates from This Old House and Pick HVAC, not quotes. Tight attics, crawl spaces and older equipment can raise the price, and any repair is extra.
How to choose an HVAC service company
- Check the license. Rules vary by state, so look the company up with your state licensing board.
- Ask about refrigerant credentials. EPA requires technicians who service equipment containing refrigerant to be Section 608 certified.
- Compare what's included. A cheap visit may be a filter change and a look around. Hold each offer up against the checklist above.
- Book before the rush. Companies are usually busiest in summer, and same-day visits can cost more.
Questions to ask at your first HVAC tune-up
- How old is each unit, and what condition is it in?
- What refrigerant does it use?
- What filter size does it take?
- Is the condensate drain clear?
- Will I get a written report with the readings you took?
- What does this price leave out?
Red flags on an HVAC service call
- No written report, only a verbal "you're all set".
- A push to replace the system with no measurements or photos behind it.
- Refrigerant added with no check for a leak. Ask why the level dropped.
- A technician who can't tell you what's wrong with the old unit in plain terms.
- Pressure to sign a service plan during the first visit.
How to book HVAC service with no record to go on
- Hunt for a paper trail
Check the furnace cabinet, air handler and outdoor unit for dated tags. Ask the seller or your agent for invoices too.
- Decide which system goes first
Pick the one you'll need soonest. A move-in during summer means cooling first, even if the furnace looks older.
- Book and say it's a baseline visit
Tell the company you just bought the home and want the equipment documented as well as serviced.
- Clear a path
Make sure the technician can reach the indoor unit, the thermostat and the outdoor unit.
- Get the written report
Ask for the age, refrigerant type, filter size, readings and any repairs recommended, with prices.
- Set your filter routine
ENERGY STAR says to check filters once a month. Ask the technician to show you how, then add a reminder.
- Schedule the next one
Tie the yearly visits to the spring and fall clock changes so they're easy to remember.
What homeowners say about HVAC service in a new home
Don't count on the home inspection to catch this. One owner's inspector missed that the furnace hadn't been serviced in eight years. The HVAC tech then found a serious fire hazard. (Reddit)
Where owners disagree: Owners push back on cleaning ducts every year (24 upvotes). They say reputable HVAC companies don't recommend it, and some question doing it at all unless there's a smell, since cleaning stirs up dust. A minority had ducts cleaned once at move-in because of allergies, found them filthy and were glad. Their furnace company suggested every 4 to 5 years. Everyone agrees changing filters matters more. (Reddit)
How often should HVAC be serviced? More answers
How much does an HVAC service call cost?
A basic tune-up runs about $75 to $250 in 2026 estimates, and a call with diagnostics about $90 to $450. Your region, access to the equipment and any repairs change the total.
How often should HVAC be serviced?
ENERGY STAR recommends a contractor check the cooling system every spring and the heating system every fall. Some guides suggest older systems may benefit from more frequent service, so ask your technician.
Can the technician tell me how old my system is?
Yes, ask them to record it in the report. Knowing the age helps you budget for replacement and judge whether a big repair is worth it.
Sources: ENERGY STAR, This Old House, pickhvac.com, EPA, CPSC
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.